Goals 44 seconds apart by Zach Whitecloud and Keegan Kolesar proved to be the difference as Chicago posted a 3-2 win over Grand Rapids in Game 2 of their Central Division semifinal series on Saturday night.
All square at a game apiece, the series shifts to Grand Rapids for Game 3 on Tuesday.
The Wolves’ Tomas Hyka and the Griffins’ Colin Campbell traded goals 40 seconds apart early in the second period before the rookie defenseman Whitecloud gave Chicago the lead for good with a power-play goal at the 12:58 mark of the middle frame.
Kolesar made it 3-1 at 13:42 during four-on-four play, and the Wolves withstood a late Griffins push — including Chris Terry‘s goal with 4:30 remaining in regulation — to even the series and snap their seven-game playoff losing skid.
Max Lagace made 26 saves in the win for Chicago. Harri Sateri finished with 24 saves for Grand Rapids.
Central Division Semifinals – Series “E” (best-of-5)
C1-Chicago Wolves vs. C4-Grand Rapids Griffins
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 19 – Grand Rapids 5, CHICAGO 1 | Recap
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 20 – CHICAGO 3, Grand Rapids 1
Game 3 – Tue., Apr. 23 – Chicago at Grand Rapids, 7:00
Game 4 – Wed., Apr. 24 – Chicago at Grand Rapids, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sun., Apr. 28 – Grand Rapids at Chicago, 4:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
